Newport conquer in-form Crusaders
THE form book was well and truly thrown out of the window as Newport recorded what must go down as one of the finest victories in the club’s history after a hard-fought battle against Dings.
At the start of play, Dings sat in third with Newport just above the drop zone in 12th, but it was the home team who bossed territory and possession for long periods.
They started strongly and were 12-0 ahead within the first 18 minutes. Perez Raqio had crashed over after a Connor Adams snipe and Dan Bough scored the first of a brace on debut, after being the beneficiary of great work by Ricky Bailey and Charlie Gamble.
Dings replied after 20 minutes to stay in touch with a catch and drive touched down by hooker, Joe Hawkesby.
Newport were still in the ascendency and a Bough touchdown was called back for crossing, before Matt Hubbart was adjudged to have been held up under the posts.
Late in the half Newport’s Tom Cowell was dispatched to the sin-bin, however his team rallied and added a third when a Dings attack broke down and Bough hacked through, gathered the ball and offloaded to the supporting Jake Leonard.
At half-time, with the score at 17-7, the Newport faithful were hopeful.
The second half was no less thrilling. Dings immediately narrowed the margin after an Adams clearance kick was charged down – Matt Smith scoring one of his easier tries of the season.
Midway through the half, livewire scrum-half, Tom Knight scampered over for Dings’ third try, with the extras from Ciaran Donoghue putting his team in the lead for the first and only time.
Newport, playing with a cohesion, rarely seen this season then hit a purple patch. Bough added his second try, after great work from the Newport ball carriers in midfield.
Dings, somewhat stunned by this onslaught, then immediately conceded a further try, this being the pick of the bunch. Gamble, who had scored a fine individual effort last weekend, surpassed this with superb turn of pace and a finely weighted kick, which he gathered over the line. Leonard’s conversion hit the mark and Newport now led 29-19.
A Leonard penalty increased the margin and
Dings were now throwing caution to the wind. They dominated the closing stages and their efforts were rewarded with a converted Harry Tovey try, but alas for the Bristolians time was not on their side and at the final whistle Newport took the victory 32-26.
Newport’s Nick Murphy carried hard all afternoon and debutant Finn Barnes was stellar in defence.
Newport’s kick-and -chase game worked well all day and this all-round vastly-improved performance must give the Shropshire team confidence going into the final third of the season.